It was a very special night in St Declan’s last night as we bade farewell to 85 children who are flying the nest to start the next journey of their lives in seconday school. There was a great air of excitement in the corridors as our three 6th classes got the hall ready with their displays of art work and photo booth. Have a look at some of the fantastic art they had on display.

   

A huge crowd of children, parents and other family members gathered to join in the celebrations. We were joined by Eileen Flannery, Mairead Rogers, Jack O’Connor from The Book Mark Ashbourne, Father Ciaran and class teacers Mr Lydon and Mr Farrell.  

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Address from Mr Kearins

It is a very special moment for all these children as they leave primary school and move onto the next stage in their lives. It is a time to remember and a time to look forward.  Most of you have been part of our school community for the past eight years and some joined us along the way. You came to us with many undiscovered gifts and talents. As parents you entrusted your child to us. That trust is something we take very seriously. It is our responsibility to provide a secure happy learning environment, where children are given every opportunity to realise their potential. We hope that all of us in St. Declan’s has left no stone unturned in reaching this goal.

Childhood is often described as a short eternity, its years are few but its influence is forever. Its memories can last a lifetime. Moments can be remembered as hours, hours as weeks, weeks as years. Childhood experiences are etched in the mind for the rest of a person’s life.  We as educators should take good care of childhood, remembering that a year is little in a lifetime, but it is a lifetime in the life of a child. We won’t ask you to remember your school because you can’t forget your school days.  We wish you the best of luck in the future.  Don’t try to be too strong; as a human being you will feel very vulnerable and humble at times and that humility may be your real strength.  Be assertive, not aggressive; be flexible, accommodating and open to learning. 

During your time with us you have been nurtured by the love of your families, inspired by the guidance of your teachers and bound by the precious gifts of friendship. We hope that we have started you on a road that will help you lead a full, contented and happy lifestyle, ready to take on the many challenges and also the rich opportunities that will come your way. In all 85 children will bid farewell to St. Declan’s and of those 32 families will end that connection with our school.

 

Prayers of the Faithful                                                                              

                                                  

Prayer 1 Read by Alex Fitzpatrick

Lord, we have come to a new stage in our lives. Grant us your guidance. Help us to make wise choices to achieve our goals and dreams. We appreciate the happiness, companionship, and learning that we have enjoyed together over the years in St Declan’s and we thank you for them. We hope our friendships will stay strong as we move onto the next stage in our lives. Give us courage and strength to get through the bad times and help us to be aware of, and to appreciate, the good.

Prayer 2 Read by Kayleigh Cullen

Lord, who can measure the love that has surrounded us through our years in primary school.  Who can count the fears and anxieties of parents and loved ones who worked tirelessly for us and didn’t count the cost? We are grateful for our parents and ask you to bless them for the love they have given us down the years.

Prayer 3 Read by Shauna Ennis

Lord, we ask you to bless the teachers and staff of our school. Help them to carry on the good work of educating those entrusted to them. Give them a deep appreciation of human values and help them to pass these values on to others.

Memories from St Declan’s Read by Karla Portalanza, Alannah Kelly and Feidhlim Behan

We celebrate you success at school and your achievements during your time with us. We acknowledge the hard work of you parents and families who brought you to this point.  We remember all the happy times.

Primary schools are asked to do many things

• It’s the place  where we first learn
• The place where we get on without the immediate influence of our families.
• Schools are the places where we make friends , fall out and patch up differences
• Learn to live in a group.
• Learn to work a team
• Prepare for the world ahead and more immediately the year ahead.
• Set a good foundation for teenage years
• Take in the many ideas and concepts that are thrown at us in the curriculum.

We hope have helped you meet these challenges. Sixth classes often set the tone for life in school. 6^th class is be a bench mark for the school in general.This group inspired us challenged us, amused us, frustrated us, inspired us- just what we would expect from an energetic, lively and challenging group of young people. They have been worthy representatives if St. Declan’s at all times. In many ways, Sixth class represent the school and this group reached a high standard in this regard. At all times we were proud of the manner   in which they conducted themselves and also of the example they gave to the younger children in the school.  

Thank you to our Board of Management, to our secretary Joanne and to our caretaker Tommy and our cleaners for their hard work throughout the year.. Also thank you to our Parents Council. The help of the Parent Council is also vital to the school .Over the past year, they have helped us in many practical ways by catering for all the annual events and organising fundraising.  They are very important and active partners in the life of St. Declan’s and we are indebted to them for their time and dedication. They are here tonight to serve light refreshments for us after the ceremony. 

                                                                                                                   

Presentation of cheque from Jennifer Mulvey for money raised from   Sept 2018- June 2019  €12,000

 Attendance Award     

School attendance is crucial to success at school and we have a number of pupils from our 6^th classes who have achieved a fantastic attendance record over the past 8 years in St. Declan’s. The following children received certificates for excellent attendance during their 8 years in St Declan’s.

Eoin Byrne, Matt Nulty-Finnery, Matthew King,  Aoife Derwin

Daragh Mc Cabe received an award for the overall best attendance from Junior Infants to 6^th class in St. Declan’s.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Presentation of Graduation medals and certificates 

Thank you to the Book Mark Ashbourne for sponsoring the graduation medals. We order all our books for book rental from The Book Mark and find them extremely efficient and helpful. Jack from The Book Mark presented the graduation medals and Mr Kearins presented the certificates.

Sportsperson of the year award.

The nominees were Callum Keogh, Isabel O’Kane, Emily Scanlon, Daragh Mc Cabe, Adam Sherry, Hrvoyje Milkovic, Darren Carberry, Hollie O’Hare, Daragh Cummins,Tierna Lee Mulholland, Mikey Lematy and Philip Carragher. The Sportsperson of the year award went to Darren Carberry. Mrs Rogers presented the nominations and the trophy. Congratulations Darren !!

 

Pupil of the year award

This award was first presented in 1985. Thank you  to the Flannery family who sponsored the award and thank you  to Eileen Flannery who is here to present the award.

Criteria for selecting the Pupil.

Every effort has been made to make judgements in the broadest possible way.

• It is not an academic test as such.
• We look at effort rather than achievement,
• Good citizenship,
• Willingness to help others.
• Attendance and Punctuality
• A good team person.
• Someone who keeps trying no matter what the circumstances are
• So in many ways everyone here is a winner in one or other of these

 

After much deliberation we had 4 nominees from each class.

Room 2	Room 3	Room 4
Aoife Derwin	Matthew King	Alannah Kelly
Daragh Mc Cabe	Keeva Thomas	Emma Maguire
Karla Portalanza	Tom Beggy	Ana Rita De Couto Vera
Bartosz Wieczorek	Jamie Hanney	Cian Comiskey

 

The nominees received their certificates from Eileen.

And the Pupil of the year award 2019 went to Aoife Derwin

Thank you to class teachers

Thank you to all the teachers who were involved with these children through their school life. While Mr Lydon, Mr Farrell and Ms O’Connor taught these pupils over the past year or two and applied the finishing touches many others were involved along the way-  class teachers/ SET teachers/ SNA’s . We acknowledge their role in the education of these pupils.                                                                                                           

Reflection- Climb until your dreams come true. Read by Ann Marie King

Slideshow Presentation

                                                                                                           

 

 

 

Mr Kearins  

To all boys and girls I would like to wish you well in the years ahead. If there’s one thing you can do for us it is that you represent us well. Remember that you will always be a St. Declan’s pupil and in many ways we will be judged on your achievements. As we stand proudly in the light of your achievements we hope that you continue to grow in mind and heart and in wisdom and compassion.

Final Song

Mrs O’Rourke on keyboard

Mr Mc Keown on guitar

6th Class 2019- Goodbye and good luck from all in St. Declan’s